GOLD

Yes it's true I'm a major bookworm an I love love love Chris Cleave! He is by far my favorite modern day writer.
Gold is the title of his newest book, which was released this month. I of course had to get my hands on this hardcover special edition. And it just so happens that I'll be in London in a few weeks, so I'm going to see if he'll be doing any book signings. Cause yeah I'm a junkie for first editions and if they're signed it just makes it all the better ;)

But back to Chris. The first book I read from him was 'The other hand' (which is actually his second novel). I came upon it by accident (I found it in the break-room at work) and had no idea what it would be about. I was immediately sucked in to the story of this little African girl. It's best not to tell you to much but here's the first sentence: "Most days I wish I was a British pound coin instead of an African girl."

I read his first book 'Incendiary' second. I didn't know what it would be about either, so I was really hoping it would be just as good, and Chris did not disappoint. I was on holiday in Hong Kong while reading it and I actually postponed all my sightseeing to finish the book! No I'm not kidding, I stayed in the hotel all day. I just needed to finish it and then I read it all over again. The first line is: "Dear Osama they want you dead or alive so the terror will stop." Bet you think you know what it's about now don't you? But you're wrong.

Why do I like his books? His topics are current worldly dilemma's, things I feel we should all have thought about at leased once. His writing is excellent and something a lot of people have commented on is how well he (a male) is able to describe everything so realistic and vividly from a female perspective (the main character in both 'The other hand' and 'Incendiary' are female).
The best word to describe his work is 'accurate'. 

But it's also an emotional thing. Do you recall that moment, that split second, when you wake up in the morning, the sun is shining and all just seems well. But then reality sinks in and you start to recollect that something terrible has happened and your life will never be the same again? That is exactly the feeling that his books leaves you with. So no not very uplifting but very much worth it.

So everyone, please do yourself a favor and read at leased one of his books.

Trust me they are BRILLIANT!

And she's back!

Yippie! Finally finished all my exams so I have my life back!
First thing I did was... bake. DUHHHH  ;)
Remember that date cake that I wanted to try, that's the one I made. But before I tell you how that went let me share some of the things that I've been eating lately.

From left to right: Spinach salad with vinaigrette dressing and brie cheese; Vegetarian spinach and dried tomato quiche; White asparagus salad; Penne pasta in a cream sauce with mushrooms and broccoli; Special Surinamese cake called "Viadoe"; Tomato mozzarella and basil salad.

Hmmm just looking at it again makes me hungry!
Don't have any recipes on them to share just now, but maybe another time when I actually have time to record what I'm doing. All of them are really fast and easy to make, except the Viadoe which is a really time consuming but ultimately yummie cake. It will take you all day and if you have a helping hand it will be a lot easier on you.

Now on to that date cake.
I don't know if I mentioned it before, but my baby niece has some allergies: eggs, cow milk and peanuts. This doesn't necessary have to be a problem, but it does exclude a major chunk of my favorite recipes. So I found this date cake recipe which looked really good and it's made without egg, milk or butter. Just what I was looking for!

It was really easy to make, but because you have to make it in two steps it can take some time.
I wasn't sure how it would come out, but it was airy and moist. I didn't really taste the dates anymore, which was a bit of a shame since I used some really tasty medjoul dates.
To me it tasted very similar to gingerbread, which is odd cause there's not any spice in it besides cinnamon. And since I'm not crazy about gingerbread, this is also the reason why I wouldn't make it again. BUT my colleague loved it! She ate three pieces and still wanted more! So I guess it's just a matter of preference.

 You can find the recipe here.